Map and report listing information on 419 mineral ocurrences in Yukon that contain noteworthy amounts of gold and/or silver. A capsule description of the occurrence's geology is present along with a list of the significant ore minerals. This is followed by information on the metal content of the occurrence and extent of exploration and development work. Accompanying this report is a 1:2,000,000-scale map of gold-silver deposits and occurrences in the Yukon Territory.

Placer gold is widely distributed throughout the western Yukon; however, lode sources for most of these deposits remain unknown. Previous studies of gold compositions in this region using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe (EMP) methods showed 1) that there are consistent differences in average composition (although with considerable overlap) between gold from different styles of lode gold mineralization; and 2) the composition(s) of placer gold can be matched with specific lode sources, or the most likely style of lode source can be identified. In the current study we employ SEM and EMP methods together with laser ablation ICP-MS trace element analysis and study of the micro-inclusion suite(s) to more completely characterize the major, minor and trace element composition of the gold as well as the mineralogy of the lode sources themselves. We also report new data for placer and lode gold, mainly from the Klondike District.

On-going compositional studies of gold from placer and lode deposits and occurrences in western Yukon provide new insights into their nature and origin. Two main compositional populations are present in placer and lode deposits in the Klondike District. The dominant population has high fineness and low mercury content, and appears to be mainly derived from lode sources in the Lone Star, King Solomon Dome and lower Gold Run Creek areas. A second population of low fineness, high-mercury-content gold is derived from lode sources on the left limit of Eldorado Creek and in the headwaters of Bear and Last Chance creeks. Placer gold in the Sixtymile District was not derived from epithermal vein occurrences like those in the Sixtymile River valley but rather has compositions more similar to Klondike-type metamorphogenic veins. Placer gold in Scroggie Creek in southern Stewart River map area appears to be derived from intrusion-related vein occurrences.

Compositional studies have been undertaken on gold particles recovered from hypogene ore, eluvial material and placer samples in and around the Klaza property. These data have been correlated with previous descriptions of in situ mineralization to elucidate placer-lode relationships and systematic change in gold compositions between porphyry and epithermal environments. Gold alloy from the porphyry environment is Ag-poor with respect to Au formed in later stage veins. Silver, and to a lesser extent Cu, have been the main discriminants for inferring the source of Au within the placers, and in general, vein mineralization is a more important source-type than porphyry mineralization. The signature of Pb-Bi-Te previously identified in the inclusion suites of Au grains from Nucleus/Revenue, Casino and Sonora Gulch has also been identified at Klaza, demonstrating that generic compositional signatures can underpin a robust exploration methodology. The relative sizes of porphyry and epithermal footprints of detrital Au together with their respective compositions are important considerations when targeting Cu-Au systems.

not_specified

Yukon Gold-Silver File is an inventory of gold and silver-bearing mineral deposits and occurrences in Yukon. It follows the 1984 Open File entitled Gold-Silver Deposits and Occurrences in Yukon Territory by J.A. Morin and D.A. Downing. Other sources of information include: 1) Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Reports, including a) Yukon Exploration and Geology reports up to and including Yukon Exploration 1984-86 (noted as YEX, YEG and YGE), and b) Mineral Industry Reports (MIR); 2) preceding Mineral Industry Reports and other geological reports by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC Papers, memoirs, bulletins and maps); 3) assessment reports (only non-confidential information is included) filed by mineral exploration companies with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; 4) university theses; 5) personal communication with mineral explorationists and prospectors; and 6) data accumulated by property investigations by J.A. Morin and D.S. Emond (until August, 1987).

for a copy of this paper please contact the Yukon Geological Survey; geology@gov.yk.ca.

for a copy of this paper please contact the Yukon Geological Survey; geology@gov.yk.ca.

The Ketza River gold deposits, in central Yukon, are gold-bearing, massive sulphide mantos and chimneys in Lower Cambrian limestone. Mining is presently confined to oxidized portions of the deposits. The deposits are bounded on three sides by silver-rich veins. Metal zoning corresponds to a pronounced domal uplift that is thought to be related to a buried Cretaceous intrusion. The zoning may partly reflect stratigraphic control, but distance from the buried intrusion is considered the prime control.

Geological map (1:1,000,000 scale) of the Yukon Territory, including platinum potential, platinum occurrences, a list of selected geological units with PGE potential, density of geochemical anomalies for nickel, chromium and cobalt and selected stream silt anomalies for nickel, cobalt and chromium. Accompanying the map is a brief report describing: Yukon MINFILE occurrences with reported PGE mineralization and anomalies; interpretation of regional silt geochemical anomalies; placer PGEs in Yukon; gravity anomalies; and PGE potential in Yukon (concepts and localities).